asparagus questions

[queen of the cobs]

all the questions you can think of really:

• what types have you grown?
• can I plant them now?
• How do I prepare the ground?
• How many crowns do I need?
• How much space will they take over?
• sunny or sheltered?

[crichmond]

Here you go:

RHS: Grow your own Veg

[queen of the cobs]

thanks very much - i've done lots of googling but would appreciate any personal advice on varieties etc, and tips.

[Madasafish]

Connover's Colossal.
Self sown: easy
large
nice taste
compost and neglect.

[Norm]

That's probably the best answer I've seen on this site. Never grown asparagus but I'm going to have a go now. Cheers fish!

[T-lady]

Here you go:

RHS: Grow your own Veg

Fabulous link - nice one!

[T-lady]

Other varieties

Connover's Colossal.
Self sown: easy
large
nice taste
compost and neglect.

I've just sown some Connover's Colossal - I'm really chuffed you've posted this. I also sowed Jersey Knight and Mary Washington - has anyone any experience of these

[Paulottie]

all the questions you can think of really:

• what types have you grown?
• can I plant them now?
• How do I prepare the ground?
• How many crowns do I need?
• How much space will they take over?
• sunny or sheltered?

• conover's C, gjinlym,grolym,backlym.
• yes, but more usually April, but best to get em in, Never let em dry out.
• Really well, NO perenial weeds, and lots of muck, must have good drainage
• About 12 per member of household. (we like it!)
• Staggered rows 18" apart and crowns at 12" apart
• sunny and sheltered(or if you mean shade partial is ok)

[queen of the cobs]

• conover's C, gjinlym,grolym,backlym.
• yes, but more usually April, but best to get em in, Never let em dry out.
• Really well, NO perenial weeds, and lots of muck, must have good drainage
• About 12 per member of household. (we like it!)
• Staggered rows 18" apart and crowns at 12" apart
• sunny and sheltered(or if you mean shade partial is ok)

great! thanks very much - I've got an offer of 10 Gijnlym crowns for £15 so think I'll give them a go.

[Madasafish]

I'm afraid I have little room (for asparagus) so I planted about 20 in a circle abot 1.5 metres diameter. Much closer than recommended. I pile on 4cms of compost and add poultry droppins. Works perfectly well... Some smaller than normal.. but hey it's asparagus !

[Paulottie]

Queen plans 10 in a similar space I understand, I'd guess that would be about right. One of the reasons you should take out female is they set seed everywhere and the bed becomes congested.

Although all beds(or particular plants) throw up a few spindly sprues- you should always cut these... as a fanatic, I can't agree Madasafish, in the case of sparrow's grass it is a case of 'Fat ones are more juicy'

Feeding will help, but certainly thin it out starting with weaklings and females(obviously you need to mark the ones with berries carefully and attempt it in winter).